Our History

Bias Incident Support Services (BISS) was originally created as the Hate Bias Response Program (HBRP) following the May 2017 murder of 1st Lt. Richard W. Collins III, a student at Bowie State University, by a University of Maryland student. Since that tragic day, we have worked with Dawn and Richard Collins, Richard's parents, to ensure that his name will be forever remembered and to dedicate ourselves to the eradication of hate in all of its forms. 

The Joint President/Senate Inclusion & Respect Task Force was charged with identifying strategies to address hate, support impacted individuals, and foster a more inclusive campus environment. BISS became the reporting and support space for all UMD community members impacted by bias and hate.